Last week we had a lot of miracles,
investigators and people coming out of nowhere, only to move into this week
where it all fell apart! No one would listen to us at all this week out
finding, all of our appointments fell through, lessons were stood up, just
NOTHING worked out this week. It was flipping lame!!

And O San from last week, is not what we
thought! We were talking to the Bishop about him, and he said the name sounded
familiar. Looks it up, turns out that he got baptized years ago, but then went
inactive and can't really come to church because of a mental illness he
contracted...NEVER would've guessed...Seemed normal enough to me. So that
happened. :P Haha!! But you know what, for all that didn't happen missionary
work wise this week, was well made up for in different ways.

This week Elder B and I were able to
connect really well. We've had some seriously cool, deep, spiritual
conversations, and I've been able to really help him I think. We spent a long
time one planning session talking about having a vision for what you want to
be, and I was just feeling the spirit way strong, and I told him then what I
could see him as: As this really strong, confident powerful missionary, super
capable of doing everything he needs to do out here, and being able to help
lots of people. And it made him cry. I don't know if he's had someone express
that much love and confidence in him on his mission, and it was a really tender
spiritual experience. So this week still ROCKED in my book. It was rough, but
the Lord is blessing me ad my comp, and this area in ways that we don't even
know. :) Thanks for all you're love and support!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Hey Everyone!! :D
This has been a really fun week. Elder B and I have been
having a blast, and we've been seeing some really sweet miracles. God really
and honestly blesses our hard and consistent work!
Our biggest goal for this transfer is obviously finding people to teach,
and we were able to make a some good progress in that area! :D In particular we
met two youngish guys that are WAY interested, and whom I think have some
really good potential. One is named H San. Cool kid, about 25 years old. He
has a lot of interest in learning about Christianity, and he really wants to
hang out with us, so that's a way sick miracle! And yesterday at church we had
the sickest miracle ever! We had Stake Conference this weekend, and that's been
fun but, a man today just walked into the church building, and kinda sat down
and minded his own business. I had never seen him before, but since it was
stake conference I figured that he was probably from a different ward, so I
didn't think much of it. After stake conference was over, I was talking to some
people, and one of the sisters in my ward brings this man up to me and
introduces me to him. Turns out he has been to church at least two times before
that, and he's NOT a member. And she was like, why aren't you teaching him? To
which I replied, "Never seen the man before!" ;) So we started
talking to him, and he has the possibility to be the flipping most prepared
person in the world. He was lived the last ten years of his life in Sapporo,
and he lives alone, and has been searching for purpose in life. A friend of his
from somewhere in Tokyo (where he is from originally) told him that he should
go to his church, the LDS church. So, he did. Turns out this guy, O San, also
reads the Bible a lot, and really enjoys it. He also believes in God as our
Father in Heaven, and he wants to know more about Christ, and about our
beliefs. He also takes EVERY Sunday off, so that he can study, and attend
church. O.O This guy is flipping nuts! For a Japanese person, this is really prepared. Just believing in God is a huge thing out here! :D
So we taught him a bit right after church, and since he's about 30, we
invited him to the single adult activity they had after church, that we were
invited to. And that was amazing! Had a fun time getting to know some members,
and eating great food, it was just great for him, such a good way to get his
relationship with the church started. He had a lot of fun, and we have a lesson
scheduled later this week with him.
So... BAM! Miracles do happen. :)
And aside from that, nothing really notable happened this
week. It's just been a lot of fun working really hard, and laughing and
feeling the joy of the Lord's work. :)
Thanks for all you do, and for all your love everyone!
Love, Mike

Hey Everyone!! First off, as I'm sure you're all aware by
now, transfers have happened!! And my world got flipped upside down. I've moved
from being a hardcore countryside missionary, to a Sapporo missionary! And to
make it even better, I didn't just move to the city, I moved into the HEART of
the city. The Odori area is the heart of downtown, and it's flipping crazy. I
have no idea where anything is, and it's nuts! Dang changing areas!! But before
all that, I had an amazing last week with Elder Horne.
We saw some really cool things, and had a blast visiting for the
last time together all our investigators and the Otofuke members, it was all
really sweet. I got to see Sato San one last time. I texted her asking her if
she would let me come visit because I was transferring, and she said she had
been really wanting to see me, and so we made an appointment and headed on
over. We spent a long time catching up on what's happened the last two months,
and it was just amazing to see her again. She's still doing really well.
Reading the BoM everyday, praying everyday, and still keeping all the
commandments. She really is flipping amazing, I just wish I could have found a
way to help her get out to church. But I still know that I played a part in her
conversion, so I can be happy with my efforts. This whole week has been
puncuated with just a pervasive feeling of happiness and content. I feel so
content with all my work in Otofuke. I didn't see a baptism or anything, but
I've been able to feel that my work has been accepted of the Lord, and I've
done my part to set up Elder Horne for a solid transfer with his new companion.
Who by the way is Elder Goddard! :D My man from my MTC district! He got mah
bean!! :D He's way stoked to work with Elder Horne, and I'm glad that Elder
Horne got a new comp who I know is a hard working outstanding man.
So, now we're in the heart of the city. Dendo as I know it is
changed forever, and I'm having a blast. I do miss my nature, and I still love
the countryside more, but there's lots to love about the city. Just this week,
starting the day I got here is the Yosakoi Festival. Describing it in words
really doesn't do it justice. It's basically a week long dance party, and it's
amazing. Teams from all over Hokkaido assemble and gather in Sapporo and just
dance all day everyday for a week. And the coolest part is that it is all
ancient Japanese themed. The floats, and costumes, the music, the dancing, all
of it. It's FLIPPING COOL. And WAY FUN. We spent some time watching it,
and I took a ton of video. It's way fun. Honestly more fun than the snow
festival I think. ;) HAHA!!
And working with Elder B has been interesting. He's
from Elder Horne's MTC district, and so he's still fairly young. But he and
Elder Horne are a night and day difference. Elder B is from
Washington, and he's a mega shy super nerd. :P And I love him! He has a lot of
struggles, and he doesn't make friends easily, so I'm so happy to be his
companion, and become his best friend. :) His last companion was Elder
A, who is notorious for being a lazy and less obedient missionary...So I
came into this area, and found out that we have nothing. No investigators, no
good potential investigators, and I found out that they did NOTHING for a
transfer. Just played with an inactive member all day everyday, and did nothing
productive. So I have an interesting transfer ahead of me. Elder B thinks I'm probably really strict. :P But that's how it is out here! We can
play when we're done working! So this transfer I've really made my goal Elder
B. He needs some good experience actually working, and I want to make
sure that he knows that he is loved and appreciated. :)
So the intersting thing about the Odori area, is that we aren't confined
to one area. The ENTIRE city of Sapporo is our area. So we can go anywhere we
want, and go to any ward we want, and work where ever we want, it is way cool.
Elder B and most of the previous missionaries of the last year or so
have been focusing in the Shinkoto area of Sapporo. It's in the northern
part of Sapporo, and it's way cool, so I'm thinking we'll continue working out
there. The ward is way cool, and I love them already. My first Sunday in the
ward was a blast. I got to meet a ton of members, and had some quality time to
talk to all of them. This ward in the past used to have a dedicated pair of
Elders in the ward, but after having a string of bad elders, they decided they
didn't want Elders in the ward, so now there is only sisters in it. We go, but
that's because we're Odori Elders, and we can do what we want. ;) But so
because of that the ward has a hard time warming up to Elders. So I did my best
to make a great first impression, and I think it really worked out. I had a lot
of fun with a bunch of members, talking after church, and I had one brother
invite us over to dinner sometime because he liked talking to me. And after
talking to the ward mission leader, I really think another reason I'm here, is
to strengthen this ward, and show them that I'm working hard.
So, I'm INCREDIBLY excited to be here. Should be a transfer filled with
LOTS of hard work, and some great times. :)
Love you all, and I appreciate all of your prayers and
support on my behalf. :D
Love, Mike

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Hey Everyone!! First off, as I'm sure you're all aware by
now, transfers have happened!! And my world got flipped upside down. I've moved
from being a hardcore countryside missionary, to a Sapporo missionary! And to
make it even better, I didn't just move to the city, I moved into the HEART of
the city. The Odori area is the heart of downtown, and it's flipping crazy. I
have no idea where anything is, and it's nuts! Dang changing areas!! But before
all that, I had an amazing last week with Elder Horne.
We saw some really cool things, and had a blast visiting for the
last time together all our investigators and the Otofuke members, it was all
really sweet. I got to see Sato San one last time. I texted her asking her if
she would let me come visit because I was transferring, and she said she had
been really wanting to see me, and so we made an appointment and headed on
over. We spent a long time catching up on what's happened the last two months,
and it was just amazing to see her again. She's still doing really well.
Reading the Book of Mormon everyday, praying everyday, and still keeping all the
commandments. She really is flipping amazing, I just wish I could have found a
way to help her get out to church. But I still know that I played a part in her
conversion, so I can be happy with my efforts. This whole week has been
punctuated with just a pervasive feeling of happiness and content. I feel so
content with all my work in Otofuke. I didn't see a baptism or anything, but
I've been able to feel that my work has been accepted of the Lord, and I've
done my part to set up Elder Horne for a solid transfer with his new companion.
Who by the way is Elder Goddard! :D My man from my MTC district! He got mah
bean!! :D He's way stoked to work with Elder Horne, and I'm glad that Elder
Horne got a new comp who I know is a hard working outstanding man.
So, now we're in the heart of the city. Dendo as I know it is
changed forever, and I'm having a blast. I do miss my nature, and I still love
the countryside more, but there's lots to love about the city. Just this week,
starting the day I got here is the Yosakoi Festival. Describing it in words
really doesn't do it justice. It's basically a week long dance party, and it's
amazing. Teams from all over Hokkaido assemble and gather in Sapporo and just
dance all day everyday for a week. And the coolest part is that it is all
ancient Japanese themed. The floats, and costumes, the music, the dancing, all
of it. It's FLIPPING COOL. And WAY FUN. We spent some time watching it,
and I took a ton of video. It's way fun. Honestly more fun than the snow
festival I think. ;) HAHA!!
And working with Elder B has been interesting. He's
from Elder Horne's MTC district, and so he's still fairly young. But he and
Elder Horne are a night and day difference. Elder B is from
Washington, and he's a mega shy super nerd. :P And I love him! He has a lot of
struggles, and he doesn't make friends easily, so I'm so happy to be his
companion, and become his best friend. :) His last companion was Elder
A, who is notorious for being a lazy and less obedient missionary...So I
came into this area, and found out that we have nothing. No investigators, no
good potential investigators, and I found out that they did NOTHING for a
transfer. Just played with an inactive member all day everyday, and did nothing
productive. So I have an interesting transfer ahead of me. Elder B thinks I'm probably really strict. :P But that's how it is out here! We can
play when we're done working! So this transfer I've really made my goal Elder
B. He needs some good experience actually working, and I want to
make sure that he knows that he is loved and appreciated. :)
So the interesting thing about the Odori area, is that we aren't confined
to one area. The ENTIRE city of Sapporo is our area. So we can go anywhere we
want, and go to any ward we want, and work where ever we want, it is way cool.
Elder B and most of the previous missionaries of the last year or so
have been focusing in the Shinkoto area of Sapporo. It's in the northern
part of Sapporo, and it's way cool, so I'm thinking we'll continue working out
there. The ward is way cool, and I love them already. My first Sunday in the
ward was a blast. I got to meet a ton of members, and had some quality time to
talk to all of them. This ward in the past used to have a dedicated pair of
Elders in the ward, but after having a string of bad elders, they decided they
didn't want Elders in the ward, so now there is only sisters in it. We go, but
that's because we're Odori Elders, and we can do what we want. ;) But so
because of that the ward has a hard time warming up to Elders. So I did my best
to make a great first impression, and I think it really worked out. I had a lot
of fun with a bunch of members, talking after church, and I had one brother
invite us over to dinner sometime because he liked talking to me. And after
talking to the ward mission leader, I really think another reason I'm here, is
to strengthen this ward, and show them that I'm working hard.
So, I'm INCREDIBLY excited to be here. Should be a transfer filled with
LOTS of hard work, and some great times. :)
Love you all, and I appreciate all of your prayers and
support on my behalf. :D
Love, Mike

Monday, June 2, 2014

Transfer calls are tomorrow, and ODDS
are that I am getting the boot. I'm four in my current area, and I'm finishing
training, and in the Sapporo mission that spells transfer! :P But we'll find
out tomorrow. Elder Horne and I are very excited, and he's just a tad nervous.
He really wants another cool comp that he'll get along with and be able to work
hard with. I remember my transfer call when I got Elder Lee, that was a crazy
exciting day! I imagine it'll be similar for him! It's been a crazy fun two
transfers with him, and we've seen so many really cool things, and also had our
fair share of trials. And I'm very grateful for all of it. I feel very
satisfied with the work I've put into Otofuke. All my work with Kozuma died,
but I still was able to bear testimony and have lots of teaching opportunities,
so that rocks, and Elder Horne and I have found a ton of new people for Otofuke
missionaries to work on, so I feel very good about my time here. :)

Elder Christofferson was AMAZING. It was so
gosh dang fun getting to see a ton of missionaries again, and the first thing
he did when he walked in was say the he wanted to shake all of our hands! Yes!
Definitely have not washed that hand. ;) Just kidding! It was so flipping
uplifting. :) I feel like I learned a lot. And one Elder asked him how we can
know/ find prepared people, and his answer was AMAZING. He was like, ask em to
read the Book of Mormon. It's the great sifter. If they'll read it, they're
prepared to some extent. :) Was way cool!

I spent most of the time after the conference
hanging out with Elder Harper and Elder Lee. Elder Harper and Elder Horne and I
most certainly took a family picture. ;) Love the family history and stuff out
as a missionary. Elder Harper got a grandson! And I'm really hurting for
Elder Lee right now. He is NOT the Elder Lee I know. His bean going home has
REALLY taken a toll on him. He's still working hard, and knowing Elder Lee this
is only making him work harder, but man is he having a rough time now. He was
very happy to see me, and told me that I am basically his favorite companion,
which made me feel great. I haven't had a ton of comps, but Elder Lee's and
mine time together was very special.

After we got home from Sapporo we hit
the pavement on dendo for the last of mine and Horne's companionship. And we've
had a ton of fun. We visited an investigator, Mikka San, and we got to meet all
of her boys, she has 5 of them. And the second oldest is a stud! He invited us
to his school's undokai. It's bascially a track meet, but they don't just run
and do track stuff, we don't have them in america. But anyways, he was going to
be in it, so he asked us if we could go. So we did, and watched him for about
an hour or so. Apparently these undokais are really big. They do them once a
year, and the kids families all gather and take pictures and film it all, and
we were VERY out of place there walking around looking for Mikka San to watch
her son, Taku Kun. I have been stared at a lot, but that definitely was the
worst I've EVER been stared at! And after it was over we found Taku Kun
specifically so he could see us there, and he was SO DANG HAPPY to see us! He
was really excited, wondering if we were actually going to come or not, and of
course all those other middle school students came and swarmed the two
americans talking to the now INCREDIBLY popular Taku Kun. ;) Love that kid, and
we're very excited to keep working with that family. :)
Thanks for all you do fam and others! :D I love you all!! :D